To beat the child was bad enough Flashcards
Encourages reader to subvert from….
physical and mental abuse
Brings awareness to abuse. This links to…
Angelou´s childhood trauma
Key terms
- Hopelessness
- Inferiority
- Mental and physical suffering
- Everlasting consequences of abuse
- Trauma
2 Big Ideas
- Innate human need for connection and comfort
- Abuse can alter a child´s mindset so severely that it may be impossible to recover from the damage
“As winter sunshine”
The simile symbolises the child´s fragility, purity and innocence
The oxymoron, “winter sunshine”
(+ alternative)
May suggest how in a bad situation, the child is able to bring joy and hope for a better future. Angelou is encapsulating the wonder of life.
OR
Angelou may be capturing the unpredictability of our futures, as the unexpected duality between these contrasting elements may symbolise the complexities of life. Further implying that moments of happiness and suffering are a vital part to our existence.
“A new / Seed´s bursting promise”
Is a metaphor for the new-born babies potential.
“A new”
May reference new beginnings.
“Bursting”
The verb portrays the uncontrollable potential and strength the child has
The noun, “promise”, suggests…
that the child´s future has already been decided and may convey the parent´s high expectations of the child
“String of silence”
Metaphor for the child´s repressed voice.
The child is portrayed as a puppet, manipulated by its parents, the child has a lack of agency for “its future”.
Soft sibilance: “String”, “Silence”
Perhaps Angelou is suggesting that the oppression has already settled into the baby´s life, as it is forced to remain silent.
“Hunger, new hands, strange voices”
(+ D.I)
Imagery of all the stimuli the child is coming across.
The child is already absorbing and acknowledging the potential threat he may experience.
DEEPER IMPLICATION
From the very beginning of our existence, we are forced to endure pain
The aspirant alliteration : “Hunger”, “hands”
may mimic the sudden indrawn breaths of the baby
“Its cry came natural, tearing”
The speaker is observant of the baby´s suffering.
